The outlook for the club industry is intrinsically tied to the financial health of the economy at both the federal and local levels. This presentation will provide an assessment of the current state of the U.S. economy and the future outlook.

About Ken FisherPerhaps best known for his Forbes “Portfolio Strategy” column, Ken Fisher’s 29 years of high-profile market calls make him the third-longest running columnist in Forbes history. Fisher is the founder, Chairman and CEO of Fisher Investments, a money management firm serving large corporate and public pension plans, as well as endowments, foundations and high net worth individuals across the US, UK, and Canada.

Club Industry Outlook and Trends for the Future

The Club Member of the FutureFrank Vain, President, McMahon Group

Early in 2013, NCA commissioned a comprehensive research study to produce a vivid picture of the private club industry for the next 5-10 years and beyond. Learn from the results of the study as they relate to the next generation of club members, focusing on key questions such as: 1) What are the implications of a multicultural America? 2) What will be the impact of the generational changing of the guard? 3) Which lifestyle changes are likely to have the biggest impact on clubs? and 4) How are the spending habits of the affluent changing?The Future of Private Golf ClubsGreg Nathan, Senior Vice President, National Golf Foundation

The golf experience continues to rank as one of the top reasons to join and remain active in a private club. Yet the golf industry has struggled with the impact of the recent recession and growing time demands. This program presents the results of a multi-faceted National Golf Foundation study which takes a fresh look at the state of private golf in the U.S. and the future of the sport.

Outsourcing can offer a club resources and expertise, provide budget flexibility, and allow club staff to focus on its core services. But does it:

Prevent clubs from managing the end result and ensuring high quality?

Create member perception that the staff is not “yours”?

Display a lack of confidence in management to board members?

Hear answers to these questions from specialists in several fields who say a growing number of clubs are choosing to outsource key club management areas.

Legislative, Regulatory and Legal Issues for Clubs

The Changing Status for Private and Tax-Exempt Status: What's Important Now and How it May ChangeRobyn Nordin Stowell, Partner, Stinson Leonard Street LLP Dan Condon, Founding Partner, Condon O’Meara McGinty and Donnelly LLP

A private club that loses its private status not only foregoes its constitutional protections and exemptions from many federal laws, but its tax-exempt status could also be jeopardized. Learn how private and tax-exempt status differ and overlap, why you should keep your club truly private, and what it takes to do so, including:

The impact of nonmember business activities,

The importance of selectivity in evaluating prospective members, and

Bylaw provisions to protect private status.

Private Clubs and the Legislative/Regulatory Outlook: Who's Doing What and WhyModerator: Brad Steele, Vice President of Government Relations & General Counsel, National Club AssociationPanelists: Kevin Vitale, General Manager/COO, Baltusrol Golf Club Michael Seabrook, General Manager, Belle Meade Country ClubDavid Voorhees, General Manager/COO, Big Canyon Country Club

Legislative and regulatory issues of key concern to private clubs are the subject of this dynamic panel discussion, which will address how clubs are dealing with a variety of challenges coming from Washington, D.C., including:

The pursuit of an organization’s vision is likely to be far more successful when strategic thinking is encouraged by its culture. Strategic thinking is what enables a club to make timely and effective decisions to implement your strategic plan. This session offers suggestions on ways to leverage the impact of your plan and build a culture with board and staff leadership that will maximize your success with a shared purpose and vision.

With new club leaders regularly stepping into chief executive-board chair relationships, how do they develop a system for collaboration? This program provides background on ways to blend distinct personalities, operating styles, perspectives and preferences for a win-win situation. It also addresses ways to find common ground, overcome challenges and balance the roles and responsibilities of the club’s top leaders.

Cancellations/Refunds: Should any attendee need to cancel a registration, NCA will provide a full refund for all categories of 2014 National Club Conference registration under the following conditions: for a refund to be provided, the cancellation request must be made in writing and acknowledged by the National Club Association no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT April 12, 2014. Refunds will not be given after this time.